NHL Fantasy Hat Trick consist of 6 different installments (6 divisions), where I will answer the same 3 questions for each team. These answers, along with my insight will hopefully help you to further your knowledge in the current hockey world. But better yet, help draft a trade for the right players for the upcoming fantasy hockey season.
Now before I start, I got to say that this concept is hard to write because I am making 3 points for each team, 90 points in total, so it feels like I have 90 different opinions.
Please remember 3 things as you read the six installments;
1) A lot of what I have written is very opinionated
2) I am a very active hockey fantasy player
3) I write hockey because I love to discuss it. So if you don’t like or understand some of my points of view, please comment on the website or at my twitter account and let’s discuss it.
Follow me on twitter @thejazlive
Pacific Division
San Jose Sharks
What player should I have on every fantasy hockey team?
Joe Thornton – One of the best big man point per game players in the NHL.
What player should I not have on my fantasy hockey team?
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Last season I was an excited Vlasic owner whenRob Blake retired because Vlasic was now going to see first line minutes and first line power play time. But everyone was let down by Vlasic last season as he recorded his first point on December 9th. I was lucky enough to dump Vlasic on someone for Sergei Kostitsyn and a 3rd round prospect pick. With Brett Burns in the mix now, I’m staying away from Vlasic this year.
Who could be the sleeper for this team that I should be drafting?
James Sheppard – Drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Wild and has been a big disappointment ever since. He missed all of last season because of a broken knee cap. I would rather have Jamie McGinn than Sheppard on my fantasy team.
Anaheim Ducks
What player should I have on every fantasy hockey team?
Corey Perry – Perry’s 50 goals and 98 points were career highs for Perry. Although it is a bit of a stretch that Perry will reach those totals again, expect him to produce high numbers.
What player should I not have on my fantasy hockey team?
Andrew Cogliano – Cogliano has been a huge fantasy let down. The only good thing about the player is that he has not missed a single game in his 4 year career.
Who could be the sleeper for this team that I should be drafting?
Dan Sexton – Sexton has the offensive ability to be in a top six and have a fantasy impact. Though what Sexton has done in his first two years in the league has not been impressive. But his skills and a top six role has made him a sleeper.
Phoenix Coyotes
What player should I have on every fantasy hockey team?
Keith Yandle – Yandle has turned himself into a fantasy franchise defenseman after scoring 59 points last season, as he turns 24 years old this September.
What player should I not have on my fantasy hockey team?
Mikkel Boedker – I saw this kid play when he was with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL and I was absolutely stun the way Boedker could use his blazing speed to get into positions to score goals. But I am sad to suggest that you should look at someone else. Boedker has the skills but I don’t see him bringing fantasy value this season.
Who could be the sleeper for this team that I should be drafting?
Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Looking at the rest of the defenseman the Coyotes currently have on their roster, I see Larsson having no trouble being able to produce enough points to be able to be 2nd in points among defenseman for his team.
Los Angeles Kings
What player should I have on every fantasy hockey team?
Anze Kopitar – Kopitar is way ahead of schedule as he recovers from his ankle injury. He is a point per game player and since Simon Gagne has signed with the Kings and Dustin Penner will play his first full year as a King, we should see Kopitar have a top 10 year in points.
What player should I not have on my fantasy hockey team?
Jarret Stoll – With the addition of Mike Richards (via trade) Stoll is now pushed down to 3rd line duties. He can put up the points, but won’t be able to because of the minutes he will get this season.
Who could be the sleeper for this team that I should be drafting?
Now just because I asked a question doesn’t mean I could find the answer. As of right now I can’t find any players in the Kings organization that could surprise us for this coming season.
Dallas Stars
What player should I have on every fantasy hockey team?
Loui Eriksson – Eriksson has been a player that has improved in all 5 seasons of his NHL career. He scored 36 goals in 2008/09. With Brad Richards now moved onto the New York Rangers someone needs to produce more points and in my opinion, that guy is Eriksson.
What player should I not have on my fantasy hockey team?
Trevor Daley – He’s consistent in the 20 point range for the last four seasons. But his +/- and PIM are not enough (along with his point total) to be considered a starting defenseman in deep leagues.
Who could be the sleeper for this team that I should be drafting?
Jamie Benn – Benn played 13 less games then in his first season, but he upped his point total 15 points from his rookie season. I believe if he can play a full season this year, I believe he can break the 70 point mark.
If you missed out on reading the northeast division click here.
